By Lea Laursen Pasgaard, AAU Communication. Translated by LeeAnn Iovanni, AAU Communication

One-year Master's degree programmes and discontinuing the sixth year of state education grants (SU). More international students in selected programmes and better opportunities for further education throughout life. These are just some of the changes in education and research that the new government (SVM - Social Democrats, Liberal, Moderates) is proposing in its platform ‘Ansvar for Danmark’ [Responsibility for Denmark] presented on 14 December. 

According to Per Michael Johansen, there is no doubt that the coming years will see extensive changes in university education, which – if adopted – will be felt at Aalborg University (AAU).

AAU Update interviewed the rector about the political announcements from the new government. Where does he see AAU playing a role in the new political direction that has now been set for Denmark? What will the announced changes to the education system mean for the university?

As an educational and research institution, AAU is part of a politically controlled system where the new government platform sets the framework for priorities over the next four years. Do you see a way for AAU to contribute?

- It is a positive thing that some of the salient themes are areas that we are strong in when it comes to research. For example, how we can achieve the green agenda. We will contribute there, just as we would like to contribute to breaking the curve for the number of children and young people who are struggling, and we want to contribute with knowledge about how all Danes can have a permanent family doctor close by.

The government is opening the door to halving the length of up to half of all Master's degree programmes. What will that mean?

- AAU's position is clear: We do not want one-year Master's degree programmes. We do not believe that a Master's degree programme can only be one year. We maintain that it takes two years to earn a Master's degree at a university, because you cannot learn the same amount in half the time. A one-year Master's also makes it very difficult to incorporate project-oriented activities and stays abroad. In addition, there is no indication that the business community is looking for graduates with shorter educations.

- We hope that the government is serious when their platform says it will invite the sector in regarding major reforms. We will then propose solutions that preserve quality and contribute as well to the government's ambitions to increase the supply of labour.

What are financial consequences for AAU if the one-year Master's programmes become a reality?

- There will be major consequences. First of all, it will mean a significant decrease in student full-time equivalent revenue. It will also be a huge administrative task if up to half of all the Master’s degree programmes have to be changed – both in terms of new curricula and the underlying IT systems.

- But the economic consequences of the proposals are not clear in the government's platform. The platform does not specify how much of the funds saved will come back to the universities. But we might well suspect that the government will spend the savings from the universities on other parts of the education sector.

The government's platform also says nothing about the continuation of increased taximeter funding for the humanities and social science programmes. What are the consequences for students and staff at AAU if the taximeter funding is not continued?

- If the increase is not continued, there will be major financial consequences for AAU and many other universities. At AAU, this will mean a decrease in revenue of up to DKK 35 million.

Is it only the SSH faculty at AAU that will pay the price if the taximeter increase is not extended?

- We haven't had time to examine that in the Executive Management yet. But it is not only an SSH problem, although it is not difficult to foresee that it will have major consequences for SSH.

The government wants to give the so-called one-year Master's degree programmes a clear labour market aim, and more business graduates are needed. What do you think about that?

- Our Master's degree programmes already have a clear labour market aim as students in most of our programmes have the opportunity to complete a project-oriented activity in a company during the programme, for example. This is a high priority for us. If the proposal for a one-year Master’s degree programme is adopted, we will of course look carefully at how our knowledge and experience with vocational elements can be included in such a programme. Master's degrees for working professionals are a good idea, but we should be aware that this requires that the students also have a job, so the business community's support for these programmes is crucial.

The government emphasises that we must be able to educate ourselves throughout life. Among other things, those who earn a one-year Master's degree must be able to return to university and continue their education after two years in the labour market. What are your thoughts on that?

- With society changing so rapidly, good opportunities for further education are crucial. I can only support this, and AAU is already working to develop more and new types of further and continuing education. If this is to be realized, in my opinion it is absolutely essential that companies support employees spending time on further education.

The government is proposing to increase the number of international students in selected programmes where Danish companies demand labour. What do you think about that?

- We welcome international students. International students are an asset both for universities and society in general. All analyses show this. We have vacant places in several programmes where there is a great need for labour, so a greater influx of international students could help alleviate labour shortages in some areas.

A few years ago, universities were asked to reduce the number of international students. Now we need to increase the number. What do you think about this course correction?

- It is only good that politicians are now prepared to correct this error.

The government is proposing that five years be the new prescribed period for students to receive the state education grant (SU) going forward. What will this mean for AAU students?

- It doesn’t do any good for young people who have different disabilities, and there will be no room to change degree programmes along the way. But I hope there is a model for it. I don't think it does any good for the well-being agenda that the government also says it is concerned with.

Christina Egelund (Moderates) will be the new Minister for Higher Education and Science. In the last 10 years alone, there have been 11 different ministers in this post. What does such frequent turnover mean for the university sector?

- Well, it does matter for the 'system' and the minister's understanding of the university sector. Every time, my colleagues and I have to provide a new minister with insight into a complex and important part of the education system. But we have to live with that. This also applies to other ministerial areas.